TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
As the borders opened in Switzerland, a good number of travellers from the GCC region got the opportunity to spend their summer in the famous Swiss Alps last year. The momentum continued throughout this summer too, as many local Emiratis and expatriates in the United Arab Emirates made it their summer escape.
Shehara Rizly
With picturesque views of the mountains and lakes, guests from the GCC have embraced Switzerland as their much-loved holiday destination, especially after the pandemic as the wide-open spaces, with absolute serenity provided the visitors a piece of mind when they need it most. Switzerland with all its beautiful landscapes offer a perfect summer escape for the GCC to relax and bask in the natural fresh air, escape the heat, and experience winter during summer in places such as Engelberg, which is one of the best experiences never to be missed out. The Swiss Travel system further spoils you with choice as you can venture out to an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,650 feet) in their famous route from Eiger to Mont-Blanc and to Lake Geneva, known to be the place visited by Santa Claus. Not forgetting the mascots of the Alps, the marmots.
Famous artistes’ destination
From Lord Byron, Charlie Chaplin, to Freddie Mercury to name a few have joined in the rich books of the land. In the castle of Chillon, the inscriptions of Lord Byron’s presence, statue in Vevey of Charlie Chaplin and statue and studio of legendary singer Freddie Mercury the band Queen in Montreux are some of the many famous and must experience sites.
Studio of legendary Queen
Memorabilia of a legend who revolutionized the world of music and stage performances has most of his stage clothes and accessories in the studio. The specialized studio has the original recording apparatus in its special record room.
Castle of Chillon
This is a must visit castle which has one of the best views on the way and throughout the castle as well. It is a 13th century fortress with some of the best preserved medieval European castles on the Lake Geneva, which needs no words to describe its beauty. The castle had served as a place of inspiration to many writers and poets of yesteryear. There is also rich history behind the place and its very interesting to also learn how the royalty slept, ate, bathed and performed their tasks during the time. It is one of the most breath taking sceneries never to be missed and if you spend a day visiting the castle and also hiking or biking in the surroundings, this will be an additional experience.
View on a cog railway
Les Roches de Naye is one of the climbs that one must experience, as it takes you on a cog railway to an altitude of over 2000 meters, the amazing scenery coupled with a spectacular view of Lake Geneva is a ride of your life which will never be forgotten. Michaela Geiger, Manager, Media Marketing, Swiss Travel System, shared, “Swiss Travel system provides visitors to experience rides in busses, trains and boats throughout their journey.” While journeying to the top of the climb, she shared, “this is a unique panoramic view over the Swiss and French Alps: from Eiger to Mont-Blanc and onto Lake Geneva. The cog railway takes guests to an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,650 feet) and thereby to numerous possibilities or adventure and discovery.”
Swiss Travel System
The beauty of the destination never ceases to amaze you and the Swiss travel system which has its travel pass will provide you additional benefits as a visitor to every interesting places that one may visit. As groups, families or even as individuals, getting the agent to get you the Swiss travel system’s pass makes it a seamless journey right throughout. The specialized app keeps you updated with the latest information necessary. Aimed at getting more travel agents to specialize in the Swiss Travel system, the new programme implemented last year is taking flight further now. Andreas Nef, Market Manager GCC, Swiss Travel System, reiterated “Last year we started our e-learning programme called the Swiss travel system excellence programme which is really a fun way to learn about the Swiss travel system and Switzerland. You don’t need to spend hours in front of the computer at once but you can learn a little at a time. Good thing is that you can learn more about Switzerland and the Swiss travel system and also receive a certificate in the end and to top it off you can win attractive prizes.”
Kempinski Palace Engelberg
Located just a few hundred yards from the railway station, Kempinski Palace Engelberg opened in 2021 summer, has witnessed a strong demand from the GCC market. It has the most scenic view of the snow-capped mountains from morning towards the latter part of the day, in summer the sunlight lingers until quite late providing the guests more time to experience nature. The hotel’s spa and wellness treatments with an indoor swimming pool provides the opportunity to relax and unwind after a day of adventure in the quaint little town. Andreas Magnus, General Manager, Kempinski Palace Engelberg, said, “We have been opened since last year and one of the key foreign markets that came right away as we opened last summer was the GCC market with almost 25 per cent of our guests from the GCC.
